Recreation apparatus



Au 31, 1948. M N, R 2,448,325

RECREATION. APPARATUS Filed Nov. 29, 194.6

-- INVENTOR;

C/MRLESBPmkMA/YJR Patented Aug. 31, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RECREATION APPARATUS Charles B. Poorman, Jr., Schuylkill Haven, Pa.

Application November 29, 1946, Serial No. 713,044

6 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to recreation apparatus, more particularly to a form of swing involving a compound to-and-fro motion.

In a conventional type of swing, an oscillatory motion is produced in a radial direction about fixed pivotal points. The swinging motion thus produced does not include any gliding component.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a recreation apparatus which combines not only an oscillatory motion but also a longitudinal gliding motion which results in a compound swaying to-and-fro motion, thus giving increased exhilaration to the user of the apparatus.

Another object is the provision of a form of swing having a, compound motion, the components of which may be resolved independently into a radial swinging motion and an arcuate longitudinal gliding motion.

A special object of the invention is the provision of a form of swing, the attraction for which is enhanced by virtue of a to-and-fro motion of a compound order,

Other objects of the invention will manifest themselves as the description proceeds.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of recreation ap- 'paratus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through one of the tracks supporting the swing; and

Figure 3 is a transverse section through the tracks, showing the trolley mounting of the swing seat.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, it will be seen that the recreation apparatus herein eontemplated may comprise a framework consisting of a pair of parallel longitudinally curved track members I, preferably of pressed steel. The members I are formed in a smooth or regular curve formed from a segment of a circle and may be supported in an elevated position by two pairs of upright end supports 2, 3, and 4, 5 respectively. The supports 2, 3, 4, and 5 are connected along their ground ends by a, rectangular frame or base consisting of longitudinal braces 6 and I and transverse braces 8 and 9. Top cross braces H' 2 be noted that the track members I are mounted on their supporting frame so that their curvature is upwardly with respect to their length. Each of the track members I is provided with a slot l4 running longitudinally thereof, said slot being designed to permit the protrusion therethrough of links I5. One end of each of the links i5 is connected to a trolley, indicated generally by the reference character l6. Each of the trolleys It is provided with four Wheels which may have either roll-er or ball bearings. The width of the trolley I 6 is such that it is freely accommodated within the box-shaped channel of the track members I, and at the same time prevent any binding or friction between the links If: and the edges of the slots l4. To facilitate this arrangement, it is preferable that the link be rigidly secured to the base plate I 1 0f the trolley.

On the inside of each end of the tracks there is mounted a compression spring 20, one end of which is secured to a closure or end plate 2!, which retains said spring in a fixed position. The free end of the sprin 20 is provided with a buffer 22 which may be of rubber or the like. The construction just described functions as a resilient stop when the trolley I6 strikes thereagainst, and also imparts a momentum in the reverse direction of the swing at the peak or high point thereof. This arrangement functions in the nature of a catapult for increasing the downward momentum of the swing at the point where the direction of oscillation is reversed, which feature is hereinafter elaborated upon more fully.

The swing proper is designated by the reference character 25, and may comprise a seat 25 provided with side pieces 21. The pieces 21 have apertures through which rings 28 may beinserted and to which rings one end of swing lines 29 of rope or other flexible material may be fastened. The other end of the swin lines 29 is similarly fastened to rings 30, which in turn are held in apertures provided at the lower end of the links 15.

In using the swing, the following explanation will be helpful in appreciating the function of the During the process or period of developing this oscillatory motion, an incipient longitudinal gliding motion is simultaneousl initiated and/ or developed within the trolley l6, from which the swing I3 is suspended. The oscillatory motion and the gliding motion, although separate and independent of each other, combine to produce a compound motion which becomes manifest as in embodying a gliding and a swinging movement to the swing, producing in the occupant the sensation of gliding and swinging, both at the same time.

It will be noted that the amplitude of the two components producing this compound or double motion increases concurrently until a maximum: is reached. In the case of the gliding motion, this occurs when the trolley i6 glides to therespective ends of the tracks I and encounters the buffer 22. This does not take place, however, until the conclusion or end of a continuous, relatively long glide in either a forward or backward direction.

At the end of the gliding motion, the oscillatory motion will have substantially reached its peak, and the momentum of the swing l3'is then reversed. By virtue of the buffer 22 placing the spring under compression by arresting the upward movement of the trolley It, a catapultic force is created, which functions to accelerate the reverse or downward momentum of the swing as the reverse direction thereof starts.

From the foregoing description, it is obvious that in utilizing the present swing construction, an added enjoyment results from imparting a continuous long gliding motion to the usual swinging or oscillatory motion. Although these two motions are compounded, they may be resolved into separate independent components which maybe regarded in the nature of a safety factor. That is to say, the extent or degree of the several motions depends upon the momentum developed through the exertions of the person swinging, which exertions are of a body and leg action. Consequently, in the-case of a child, these actions are relatively limited to the size of the child, and those of a small child are compare tively' of little magnitude. In such instances, the gliding motion will not be developed to an extensive degree, and therefore will not constitute a possible source of hazard or danger-to a small occupant. On the other hand, as the user of the swing becomes more adult, the compounding of the oscillatory and gliding motions is less likely to be dangerous and produces a thrill not obtained in a conventional form of swing.

It is obvious that certain modifications of my invention, as illustrated, will occur to those skilled in the art; for example the length of the tracks I, as well as their degree of curvature, may be changed. The longer and more gradual the gliding motion, the longer will be the period of 0scillation; on the other hand, the shorter and more abrupt the curvature of the tracks, the faster will be the to-and-fro motion of the swing. As-a general guidance, it may be stated that if the peaks of the oscillatory and the gliding motions are roughly synchronized, the swinging action will be coordinated to produce maximum enjoyment, and, therefore, the apparatus should preferably be constructed with that view in mind.

It is my desire and intention to include all such modifications: as may be provided in putting the. invention into practice withinthe'purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In recreation apparatus of the character described, a pair of suspendedtrackways; each defining a segment of a large circle, a pair of independent trolley devices, one operating in each of said trackways, a pair of flexible lines, one attached to each trolley device, and a seat suspended between the two lines.

2. A free-swinging recreational swing comprising a pair of suspended trackways, each defining a segment of a large circle, a pair of independent trolley devices, one operating in each of said trackways, a pair of flexible lines,.one attached to each trolley device, and a seat suspended between the two lines.

3; A free-swinging recreational swing comprisingapair of suspended trackways, each defining a segment of a large circle, a pair of independent trolley devices, one operating in each of said. trackways, apair of flexible lines, one attached to each trolley device, a seat suspended between. the two lines, and spring means located at the end of each trackway and adapted to contact the trolleys near the end of said trackways.

4. A. free-swinging recreational swing com.- prising a frame structure including upright supports, a pair of suspended track-ways, each defining a segment of a large circle, a pair of independent trolley devices, one operating in each of said trackways, a pair of flexible lines, one attachedto each trolley device, and a seat suspended between the two lines.

5. A free-swinging recreational swing comprising a pair of suspended trackways', each defining a segment of a large circle, and comprising curved, hollow beam members substantially square in cross section, a pair of independent trolley devices, one operating in each of saidtrackways, each trolley device including a plurality of wheels and-adownwardlyprojecting'link member projecting through a slot f-ormedlongitwdinally of and on the outer periphery of each of said' trackways, a pair of flexible lines, one attached to each trolley device link, and a seat sus-- pended between the two lines.

6. A free-swinging recreational swing com prising a pair of suspended trackways, each-defining asegment of a large circle, and comprising curved, hollow beam. members substantially square in cross section, a pair of independent trolley devices, one operating in each of said trackways, each trolley device including a plurality' of wheels and a downwardly projecting link member projecting through a slot formed longitudinally of and on the outer'periphery of each of said trackways, a pair of'fl'exible lines, one attached to' each trolley device link, a seat suspended between the two lines, and buffer means at each end of each trackway comprising a coil springadapted toimpart to the trolley'a catapultic action at the beginning of a downward movement of the swing in a reverse direction.

CHARLES'B. POORMAN, Jr.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record. in the. file of this patent:

UNITED STATES'PATENTS- Number Name Date 1,230,559 Burke June-19, 1917 1,286,848 Walker Dec. 3, 1918. 2,307,141 Ladd .JarL-5, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS- Number Country Date:

8,361 England -rJunell, 188.8 Y 

